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- Title: How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking
- Author: Viv Groskop
- Narrator: Viv Groskop
- Length: 05:06:23
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 23/05/2019
- Publisher: W.F. Howes
- Genre: Self Development, Health & Wellness
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular magic that happens when an author narrates their own work – a raw authenticity that no professional voice actor can replicate. Viv Groskop’s “How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking” delivers this magic in spades, creating an audiobook experience that feels like attending an intimate masterclass with a brilliantly observant friend.
As I listened to Groskop’s crisp British accent while hiking through the Andes last month, I was reminded of those storytelling evenings in Oaxaca – how the grandmother commanded attention not through volume, but through the quiet confidence of her delivery. Groskop embodies this same principle, demonstrating through her own narration what she preaches in her book: that owning a room isn’t about being the loudest voice, but the most compelling one.
The book unfolds like a series of carefully crafted TED Talks, each chapter dissecting the public speaking styles of iconic women from Michelle Obama to J.K. Rowling. What makes this particularly effective as an audiobook is how Groskop’s voice becomes a living example of her teachings. When she analyzes Obama’s ‘happy high status’ or Woolf’s ‘leisurely pacing,’ we don’t just hear about these techniques – we experience them through Groskop’s own vocal modulation and timing.
Three aspects make this audiobook stand out:
1. “”The Personal Becomes Universal””: Groskop shares her own public speaking disasters with such vulnerability that you’ll find yourself nodding along, remembering your own moments of stage fright. Her story about freezing during a live broadcast had me recalling a disastrous reading I once gave in Bogotá, where I completely blanked on my prepared remarks.
2. “”Practical Alchemy””: Unlike many self-help books that stay theoretical, Groskop provides concrete vocal exercises you can practice immediately. I found myself repeating her ‘power pause’ technique during rest stops on my hike, testing how different silences created different effects.
3. “”Feminist Lens””: The book smartly addresses how women’s voices are often policed in ways men’s aren’t. Groskop’s analysis of how Margaret Thatcher trained herself to speak in lower registers reveals the double binds women speakers face.
The audio production deserves special praise. The pacing (at 1.2x speed, my personal sweet spot) maintains energy without feeling rushed. Groskop’s background in comedy shines through in her impeccable timing, especially during the book’s wry asides. My only critique is that I occasionally wanted more vocal distinction between quoted material and Groskop’s own commentary.
Compared to similar works like “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck*, Groskop’s approach feels more nuanced and gender-aware. Where Manson advocates radical acceptance, Groskop provides tactical solutions. Both valuable, but Groskop’s feels particularly urgent in our era where women’s voices are simultaneously amplified and attacked on social media platforms.
For travelers like myself who consume audiobooks on the move, this is perfect road companionship. The chapters are snackable yet substantive – ideal for a morning commute or an afternoon hike. I found myself replaying sections about breath control while navigating high-altitude trails, realizing how much public speaking and mountain climbing have in common: both require managing nerves, pacing yourself, and knowing when to pause for effect.
If the book has a limitation, it’s that some cultural references may date quickly (her analysis of pre-scandal Ellen DeGeneres already feels different post-2020). But the core principles – about authenticity, preparation, and vocal presence – feel timeless.
What makes this audiobook special is how Groskop practices what she preaches. You don’t just learn about brilliant speaking – you experience it firsthand through her narration. It’s the difference between reading a travel guide and having a local show you around. By the final chapter, you’ll find yourself sitting taller, breathing deeper, and hearing your own voice differently – whether you’re addressing a boardroom or just ordering coffee at a roadside cantina in Patagonia.
With ears attuned to powerful voices everywhere,
Marcus Rivera
